Robber and conman who preyed on the vulnerable jailed for 11 years

JAILED: Christopher Holdstock

A man has been jailed for 11 years for robbing, attacking, and conning vulnerable people in Hull.

Christopher Holdstock, 44, of Rochester Close, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to assault, robbery, and four burglaries, which happened in February and March this year.

A 66-year-old man was left needing hospital treatment after Holdstock attacked him in Jameson Street, city centre, on Monday, February, 17, kicking and punching him before stealing his wallet, which contained £50.

Holdstock’s burglaries involved him conning his elderly victims by knocking on their doors, asking them to change money into smaller denominations, and fleeing as soon as they handed over the cash.

One of the burglaries happened on Monday, February 24, in Garland Close, east Hull – but Holdstock was spotted by one of the victim’s sons and chased to Greenwich Avenue.

When he challenged Holdstock about what had happened he was assaulted, leaving him with injuries to his face.

The other burglaries were committed on Wednesday, February 19, in Cranswick Grove, east Hull; on Tuesday, February 25 in St George’s Road, west Hull; and Sunday, March 8 in Victor Street, east Hull.

Detective Constable Tony Forbes, the lead investigator on the cases, said: “It is clear that Holdstock deliberately targeted people who are more vulnerable and preyed on their good nature.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe as they enjoy a day out or whilst in their home, and I hope that the significant sentence given to Holdstock for these offences helps to make the victims feel safer.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of these types of crimes, such as the distraction burglaries, to get in touch with us.

“We do take these crimes very seriously, and if someone is proven guilty of these types of offences, they can be taken off our streets, unable to cause harm to further people, for a considerable amount of time.”